Mary of Nazareth: A NovelThe ancient world and its politics come to life through the eyes of a young Jewish woman, Mary of Nazareth Miriam–also known as Mary–was born into a Palestine oppressed by Herod the Great; she is accustomed to living with uncertainty and unrest. But when her beloved father is wrongly imprisoned by the Romans, she takes action. She calls upon a well-known rebel by the name of Barabbas, and together they set out to save her father. A daring escape is accomplished and, against staggering odds, Miriam’s father is saved from crucifixion. Barabbas, flush with the success of the rescue, is intent on leading a full-scale rebellion against Herod and the Romans. Along with Mary and her father, he speaks before Jewish leaders who have gathered from various communities. Miriam feels great frustration as the men endlessly debate morality, the wisdom of rebellion, and the nature of God’s will. Having almost lost her father, and knowing she will be ostracized, she nevertheless speaks out against the use of violence. And to her surprise, one man, Joseph, listens. He offers to take her to Magdala, where she will be allowed to study in the company of intelligent, well-read women. This rare opportunity sets into motion a series of events that will change Miriam’s life–and the history of the Jewish people–forever. Based on extensive historical and biblical scholarship, Mary of Nazareth is a revealing, utterly captivating portrait of a woman whose story we only thought we knew. |
From inside the book
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... girl's outstretched arms. “Go upstairs,” she said again, her voice harsher now. “Hurry up!” Miriam walked from the hearth to the curtain that concealed a shadowy staircase. She pulled back the curtain, then stopped, unable to take her ...
... girl's outstretched arms. “Go upstairs,” she said again, her voice harsher now. “Hurry up!” Miriam walked from the hearth to the curtain that concealed a shadowy staircase. She pulled back the curtain, then stopped, unable to take her ...
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... girl. But we only touch those who disobey the will of the king. Are you quite sure you haven't done anything wrong?” Miriam held his gaze, her features motionless, her eyebrows raised uncomprehendingly, as if the mercenary had said ...
... girl. But we only touch those who disobey the will of the king. Are you quite sure you haven't done anything wrong?” Miriam held his gaze, her features motionless, her eyebrows raised uncomprehendingly, as if the mercenary had said ...
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... girl! You're mad.” Joachim set one of the stools on its legs and smiled slightly. “She stood up well to the officer. Our daughter is a brave girl, and that's a fact.” Miriam moved away from her mother, her cheeks flushing pink from the ...
... girl! You're mad.” Joachim set one of the stools on its legs and smiled slightly. “She stood up well to the officer. Our daughter is a brave girl, and that's a fact.” Miriam moved away from her mother, her cheeks flushing pink from the ...
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... wouldn't have stood a chance.” The boy was starting to calm down. In the gloom, Miriam could see his bright eyes. He might even have been smiling. “What's your name?” he asked. “Miriam. My father is Joachim, the carpenter.” “For a girl.
... wouldn't have stood a chance.” The boy was starting to calm down. In the gloom, Miriam could see his bright eyes. He might even have been smiling. “What's your name?” he asked. “Miriam. My father is Joachim, the carpenter.” “For a girl.
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... girl your age, you're brave,” he admitted. “I heard you with the soldiers; you handled them well.” The boy rubbed his cheeks and neck energetically, to wipe off the wisps of straw that still clung to them. “I suppose I have to thank you ...
... girl your age, you're brave,” he admitted. “I heard you with the soldiers; you handled them well.” The boy rubbed his cheeks and neck energetically, to wipe off the wisps of straw that still clung to them. “I suppose I have to thank you ...
Contents
CHAPTER 2 | |
CHAPTER 3 | |
CHAPTER 4 | |
CHAPTER 5 | |
CHAPTER 6 | |
CHAPTER 7 | |
CHAPTER 10 | |
CHAPTER 11 | |
CHAPTER 13 | |
CHAPTER 14 | |
CHAPTER 16 | |
CHAPTER 17 | |
CHAPTER 18 | |
THE GOSPEL OF MARY | |
CHAPTER 8 | |
CHAPTER 9 | |
MONTHS LATER I RETURNED TO WARSAW | |
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Common terms and phrases
Almighty already anger arms asked Barabbas believe boat body breath brothers brought child close coming cried cross darkness daughter dead death don’t door eyes face father fear feel fight fingers follow Galilee gave Geouel Giora girl give hair Halva hand happened head hear heard heart Herod hiding hold Israel It’s Joachim Joseph of Arimathea keep knew laughed leave light listen live longer looked Lord Mariamne mercenaries mind Miriam mother moved Nazareth never Nicodemus night Obadiah once Rachel raised Rekab reply Romans Ruth seemed seen shook silence smile soon stay stopped sure surprise talk Tarichea tell things thought told took tunic turned village voice waiting walked walls woman women wound Yahweh Yeshua Yossef You’re young